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Integrated or dedicated graphics needed for new set up???

TRACEY_BLAKE

TRACEY_BLAKE

TRACEY_BLAKE

Associate
Joined
1 Jan 2011
Posts
120
Hi

I'm wanting to build a new set up for home digital audio recording, mixing & editing using Sonar X1 Producer, and photo/video editing only. Please bare in mind that I'm not an overclocker or a gamer. I'm going to go with the Intel SB 2600K chip & at least 8GB of ram, however I'm unsure of whether I need dedicated or integrated graphics, therefore I'm not sure which mobo to go for? I have spoken to a sound engineer who has warned me that even the simplest task of playing back audio takes quite a bit of cpu & ram usage, therefore am I best to go with dedicated graphics, hence a P67 mobo instead of integrated on an H67 mobo?
If I went for an H67 mobo, but then later decide I want dedicated graphics, is it possible to override the integrated graphics by adding a graphics card into a PCIe slot???
I am a complete novice at this so lamens terms would be really appreciated, thanks. I'm not an overclocker or a gamer.

Thanks :)
 
As RJC said, adding a dedicated graphics card will automatically override the integrated one. Even if you're just using the PC for sound recording and editing, a dedicated graphics card will take a lot of pressure of the CPU and RAM as your friend said. Not sure which card to recommend as it depends on how much video editing you're going to be doing and how much you have to spend. At a guess, I'd say spend £100ish if you're doing heavier video work.

Also, just wondering why you've chosen the i7-2600K as the processor if you're not going to overclock. You might as well get the standard i7-2600 and save yourself £40.
 
Thanks RJC & Kristmace for your replies above, they are a big help.

Kristmace...In answer to your question about the 2600/2600K chip...if I went for the H67 mobo for integrated graphics, I would put a 2600K chip in it (even though I'm not an overclocker), to take advantage of Intels HD Graphics 3000. If I were to put in the basic 2600 chip, I would then only benefit from 2000 graphics.

I'm unsure as to whether even the HD 3000 onboard graphics will cope with the home audio mixing & editing, & the video/photo editing, please advise?? Am I best to just buy a dedicated graphics card for this??? Just worried that there will be too much load on the cpu & onboard gpu whilst carrying out these tasks!! This is my dilemma...please can you advise?? Thanks
 
Bit of a catch 22 - if you use a P67 board, integrated graphics (IGP) is disabled, so you'll need a GPU card to start off with. Go for a H67/2600K and you'll get decent IGP, but no overclocking (which is the main point of the K-series).

I'd recommend the H67/IGP route (particularly with the 2600K which has 50% more graphics 'units' than the 2600). If you're not happy with the performance, you can add a GPU at a later date. Depends on the level of video editing/rendering you need, audio really shouldn't be a problem with a 2600K/8Gb.

If it's for 'hobby' use, a £200-£400 GPU is a luxury, especially if you don't really need one. But for work/professional use, it's essential and will double (or more) your work rate, so get a good brand (Gigabyte, MSI etc).

NB Try and get a mobo that supports 1600Mhz RAM, some cheaper H67s only go to 1333Mhz without overclocking. 1600Mhz (PC12800) memory is reasonably priced, and will help with audio/video processing. Pay the few quid extra for Corsair/Geil/G.Skill.
 
Thanks for the advice DennisMenace!! In answer to your question, the video editing is only for 'hobby use', not professional! So would the onboard graphics be able to cope with this? On the contrary, I have been advised to get dedicated graphics for video editing :confused:

When the mobo specs state 1600Mhz RAM support, how do I know whether they mean it's 1600Mhz RAM capable when overclocked or whether it's 1600Mhz at stock speed? As I am NOT an overclocker, I will obviously need 1600Mhz stock speed support. Can you suggest an H67 mobo that has 1600Mhz stock support, along with eSata & firewire please?

What about dual/triple memory? Would it be best to go with a P67 mobo to enable me to have triple memory, as with an H67 I'm restricted to dual aren't I? Surely this will make a difference to the tasks I wll carry out on the pc?? Please advise on all of the above.

Appreciate it, Thanks :)
 
Having a GPU makes a huge difference. Whilst you may not be gaming, it's still a whole other area that the CPU doesn't have to bother with. Even small graphical tasks such as smooth scrolling in a graphically intensive website with many other tabs on can be a pain without a GPU.

Although this is based off my experience with older PCs. The new Intel rigs have better integrated GFX support.
 
Tracey I did help you before with this on this post..

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18226601

Also the intergrated graphics on the system I speced you is fine for your needs.. It's better to try it out 1st with the intergrated then see if you are happy with the perfromance and if not add a GPU later.. but I don't think you will find a need for a gpu unless you want to use cuda or some app that requires a lot of hardware acceleration..
 
Hi Purgatory. Thanks again for the advice..I've been getting confused because I keep getting conflicting advice on this one..some have said that for video editing (hobby only) & home digital audio mixing & editing (no overclocking or gaming), the integrated intel HD 3000 graphics will be fine...others say I will need a dedicated gpu! Not sure which is right!! But like you say Purgatory, if I'm not happy with the performance of the integrated graphics, then I can add a dedicated gpu! I didn't realise until someone said on here that I could do this. How does this work then? I take it I would add a dedicated gpu into a PCIe slot? Would this then automatically override the integrated gpu on the 2600K chip? Or do I disable this somehow?? Please forgive my ignorance!! Please advise.

I've heard things about 'quick sync' too! Would I automatically have 'quick sync' with the 2600k chip & H67 mobo, or is there something else I need in order for me to have 'quick sync'?? Please advise. Thanks again Purgatory :-)
 
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